do you think laws have to come down harder on the buyers, the people who are putting the money out? >> i think so. i think we need to treat the men that are clients of women in the sex trafficking industry as part of the conspiracy, as part of the conspiracy to kidnap, to imprison, to enslave into traffic these women. >> reporter: minnesota's cracking down with tougher laws. this man, arrested after answering ads on backpage.com and engaging in prostitution with minors, is the first john in the state to be charged not with the usual misdemeanors, but with felonies. he's pleaded guilty and could serve up to ten years in prison for each count. >> this isn't just somebody who is worth $500 to you for an hour. this is someone's daughter. this is someone's sister. these people have a reason that they're here and it's not a good reason. >> reporter: along with tougher charges, the surge in child sex trafficking prompted minnesota to reclassify children arrested for prostitution. instead of criminals, they are now being treated as victims. >> we will no longer prosecute children who are be